The Lusitano is an Iberian horse breed from Portugal. These horses are closely related to Spanish PREs, with both breeds sharing the same studbook until the two countries established separate registries in the 1960s. Their name comes from the ancient...

The Falabella is the smallest breed of horse in the world, typically standing between 28 to 34 inches tall at the withers. Despite their diminutive size, they possess all the features and proportions of a typical horse. Falabella horses are...

The Mongolian horse is an Asian horse breed that traces its roots back to the time of Genghis Khan. First raised by nomadic Mongol tribes, these small but sturdy horses played a pivotal role in the early conquests of the...

The Hanoverian is a popular warmblood breed from Lower Saxony in Germany. Also known as the Hannoveraner in German, the breed produces some of the most successful sport horses in the world. Modern Hanoverians have won gold medals in all...

The Anglo-Arabian is a mixed horse breed with Arabian and Thoroughbred ancestry. These horses are also known as Anglo-Arabs. Unlike other part-bred Arabians recognized by breed societies, these horses don’t need at least one purebred Arabian parent. To qualify as...

The Friesian is an iconic horse breed known for their fairytale looks and striking charisma. These horses are often featured in Hollywood productions, contributing to the breed’s rapidly growing popularity in recent decades. Originally from Friesland in the Netherlands, the...

The Holsteiner horse is a warmblood breed from the Schleswig-Holstein region of northern Germany. Also known as the Holstein horse, this is one of the oldest warmblood breeds in the world. This profile will discuss the history, breed characteristics, health...

The French Trotter is a trotting horse breed developed for racing in Normandy, France. These horses are also known as Norman Trotters and Anglo-Norman Trotters. While closely related to Standardbreds, French Trotters do not pace. They are bred specifically for...

The Orlov Trotter is a rare Russian breed known for their elegant appearance, trotting ability, and noble history. Once used for harness racing throughout Russia, these horses declined in popularity after the rise of the less-refined but faster Standardbred breed....

The Missouri Fox Trotter is a popular gaited breed of horse that originated in the Ozark Mountains. Recognized as the official horse of the U.S. State of Missouri, this breed is famous for its ability to perform a smooth ambling...

The Marwari horse is a rare, gaited breed native to Marwar, a region in Northwestern India. Marwaris are an important part of Indian culture and history, but outcrossing threatens the persistence of this noble breed. This breed profile will discuss...

The Cleveland Bay is a rare warmblood horse breed, native to England. Unlike modern warmblood breeds, which have open studbooks and significant Thoroughbred influences, the Cleveland Bay has been genetically distinct for centuries. This breed profile will review the history,...

The Mustang is a feral horse breed from the Western United States, descended from equines brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers. Shaped by the rugged terrains of the western frontier, the Mustang now stands as an iconic breed, embodying...

The Canadian horse is a heritage breed from Quebec and is the official National horse of Canada. Known as the Little Iron Horse for their small stature and robust constitutions, these horses are popular recreational mounts in Canada and the...

The Ardennes, or Ardennais, is one of the world's oldest and heaviest breeds of draft horses. These horses originate in the Ardennes region across France, Luxembourg, and Belgium. Modern Ardennes horses are recognizable by their massive stature. However, their heavy...

The Connemara is a large pony breed native to Ireland. Their name is derived from the Connemara region in County Galway on Ireland’s west coast, which is where they originated. Legends abound regarding the origins of these Irish ponies. Although...

The Icelandic horse is a popular breed of small equine from Iceland that are famous for their unique tölt, a four-beat lateral gait. With over a thousand years of integration into Icelandic culture, these gaited horses are a beloved icon...

The Bashkir Curly Horse is a rare American breed with a unique coat texture and mysterious history. Also known as North American Curlies, the debate continues over the breed’s origins and its connection to curly horse populations globally. Indigenous tribes...

The Colorado Ranger is an American horse breed originating from the high plains of Colorado. Often described as the “using horse” of the high plains, Rangerbreds are versatile horses with a unique history. Colorado Ranger bloodlines trace back to horses...

The Konik horse is a primitive pony breed from Poland. The name “Konik” translates to “small horse” in Polish, aptly describing the breed’s compact and sturdy stature. Koniks are easily recognizable by their mouse-gray coats and primitive markings. Conservation programs...

The Rocky Mountain Horse is a gaited American horse breed known for their rare silver dapple colouring. Contrary to their name, this breed originated in the Appalachian Mountains from a founding stallion imported from the Western United States. These horses...

The Newfoundland pony is a critically endangered breed of small equine from Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. These ponies descended from British pony breeds brought to the Western Hemisphere by English, Irish, and Scottish settlers. Already well adapted to the...

The Chincoteague pony is an American breed from Assateague Island. Two feral populations still inhabit the island today, separated by a fence marking the state line between Virginia and Maryland. National and local authorities use different methods to manage the...

The Suffolk Punch is the oldest English draft horse breed. Also known as Suffolk horses, these gentle giants are known for their bright chestnut colouring and impressive strength. Today, the breed is more endangered than the giant panda.

The Barb horse is a light breed from the Maghreb in North Africa. These horses descend from Berber horses of the region used by indigenous people thousands of years ago. Barb horses had a significant impact on the development of...

The Criollo horse is a South American breed from the Pampas, a vast grassland extending between Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The name “Criollo” is derived from the Spanish term for “native” or “local,” and it reflects the horse’s origins in...

The Irish Draught is a strong and versatile horse breed originating from Ireland. Descended from native Irish horses crossed with various imported horses breeds, Irish Draughts are recognized as the official national horse breed of the Republic of Ireland.

The Exmoor Pony is an ancient breed native to the moorlands of South West England. The ponies thrived in remote Exmoor for millennia, but modern wars drove them to the brink of extinction. Exmoor Ponies are still considered an endangered...

The Caspian horse is a rare Iranian breed of small equine that originated in ancient Persia. Although most Caspians are less than 12 hands tall, their conformation resembles full-size horses, not ponies. These horses are descendants of miniature Caspian-type horses...